WHICH TRENCHER IS RIGHT FOR YOUR CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECT?

When it comes to civil engineering trenching, choosing the right equipment is critical. Whether you’re installing fibre optic cabling, drainage systems, or underground utilities, the accuracy and efficiency of your trenching machine can significantly affect the speed, cost, and quality of your project.

At AFT Trenchers, we manufacture a wide range of trenching machines built to handle the tough demands of civil engineering works.

In this guide, we’ll break down the different types of trenchers we offer and help you decide which model is best suited for your next job. With decades of experience supporting civil contractors, utilities, and infrastructure providers, we understand the real-world challenges that trenching operations can present – and how the right machine can solve them.

UNDERSTANDING YOUR SITE REQUIREMENTS

Before choosing a trencher, it’s important to evaluate the specific demands of your job site. Trenching for civil engineering is rarely straightforward, so asking the right questions upfront will ensure the best results.

Consider the following:

• Trench width and depth: What are the specifications for the pipe or cable you’re installing? Will it require shallow micro trenching or deep, wide trenches for water mains?
• Soil type and ground conditions: Are you trenching through soft soil, clay, compacted ground, or even sections of concrete or tarmac?
• Access limitations: Is the site accessible with large equipment, or will you be working in tight urban spaces, roadside verges, or along embankments?
• Project scale and speed: Is this a long-distance trench for a major infrastructure installation, or a small, contained job where manoeuvrability and speed are priorities?

Choosing a machine that aligns with these site factors will help you avoid delays, improve safety, reduce backfilling, and keep your project within budget.

AFT TRENCHERS FOR CIVIL ENGINEERING PROJECTS

Here’s a breakdown of our most popular machines for civil engineering applications:

MH100 – Excavator Mounted Trencher
Perfect for trenching in hard-to-reach places, the MH100 mounts to an excavator arm and offers 360° flexibility. It’s ideal for trenching over barriers, into embankments, along road edges, and even in canals. With trench depths up to 1.8 metres and widths up to 400 mm, this trencher handles demanding conditions with ease. The ability to use the excavator’s reach also means less ground disturbance in sensitive or awkward locations.

Best for: Remote or awkward locations, embankments, roadside projects, canal trenching

HW60 – Skid Steer Loader Mounted Trencher
When working in confined urban environments or on hard surfaces, the HW60 is your go-to solution. Mounted on a skid steer loader, it delivers fast, clean trenching in roads, city streets, and built-up areas. It’s commonly used for fibre optic and utility cable installations, especially where narrow trenching and low surface disruption are key.

Best for: Urban trenching, fibre installation, road and pavement works, compact sites

AFT100 – Tractor Mounted Trencher
Built for strength and versatility, the AFT100 is a rugged chain trencher ideal for use on larger-scale infrastructure projects. Capable of trenching through difficult terrain, including up to 200 mm of concrete when the chain is fitted with bullet teeth, it is a reliable choice for installing deeper utilities like water pipes and cabling over long distances.

Best for: Rural utilities, deep trenching, hard ground conditions, long-distance installs

Wizz Wheel 75 – Tractor Mounted Wheel Trencher
This high-speed wheel trencher is designed to cut narrow trenches quickly and cleanly. Its rock wheel fitted with bullet teeth allows it to dig through tough surfaces while maintaining a smooth trench profile, which is ideal for long-distance cable routes. It’s a favourite among contractors installing fibre networks and communication lines.

Best for: Long fibre runs, rural cabling, medium-depth trenching in firm ground, narrow trenches

AFT45 – Compact Tractor Mounted Trencher
If you’re working on a smaller site or need a compact solution, the AFT45 is ideal. It’s mounted on tractors from 20 to 45 HP and can be used for construction sites with tight access or light-duty trenching in civil works. Despite its size, it delivers clean, professional results for shallow trenching applications.

Best for: Light-duty projects, narrow access sites, smaller utilities

You can compare the different types using our Trencher Comparison Table.

WHY CHOOSING THE RIGHT TRENCHER MATTERS

Civil engineering sites often face pressure from multiple directions—tight schedules, budget constraints, health and safety requirements, and environmental factors. The wrong machine can cause unnecessary delays, inconsistent trench quality, or even increase the cost of backfilling and reinstatement.

With the right trencher, however, you can:

• Improve productivity with faster trenching speeds
• Reduce disruption to surrounding areas
• Lower operating costs through reduced fuel use and labour
• Achieve cleaner trench profiles for easier pipe or cable installation

Contractors who invest in fit-for-purpose trenching equipment gain a competitive edge, completing jobs on time, meeting project specifications, and building a reputation for quality work.

NEED HELP CHOOSING?

Not sure which trencher is right for your project? Our team is here to help. With decades of experience in trenching for civil engineering, we can advise on the best machine for your terrain, access requirements, and project goals.

Get in touch with AFT Trenchers today and let’s dig in the right direction.